Encyclopædia Britannica says a assault rifle is…

“military firearm that is chambered for ammunition of reduced size or propellant charge and that has the capacity to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. Because they are light and portable yet still able to deliver a high volume of fire with reasonable accuracy at modern combat ranges of 300–500 m (1,000–1,600 feet), assault rifles have replaced the high-powered bolt-action and semiautomatic rifles of the World War II era as the standard infantry weapon of modern armies. Their ease of handling makes them ideal for mobile assault troops crowded into personnel carriers or helicopters, as well as for guerrilla fighters engaged in jungle or urban warfare. Widely used assault rifles are the United States’ M16, the Soviet Kalashnikov (the AK-47 and modernized versions), the Belgian FAL and FNC, and the German G3. (See also AK-47; M16 rifle.)”

Now if a retired Fireman can look up info and therefore not sound like a total moron when discussing something one would think that the “educated” media lops would think to do so as well but that would be dealing in FACTS, something the media appears to be allergic to.

These rifles are great for self-defense purposes which is why I think many polticians want to ban them. Politicians generally prefer unarmed peasants.